Klaserie Sands River Camp

Having the whole lodge to ourselves made the bush feel wonderfully secluded, with hardly any vehicles around. It worked so well for our family or a group of friends, and the choice of catered or self-catering accommodation suited our group perfectly. The guides, hosts, and housekeeping team were warm while giving us plenty of privacy. Tulela gets the balance of comfort, exclusivity, and untamed nature just right. Private, exceptional, exclusive. Highly recommend it.

Jordan and Duncan were phenomenal as our guide and tracker, and my family is leaving with memories we'll never forget. The whole team gave us an outstanding experience. Thank you, Florence, Bernard, Angie, Laura, and everyone else. We already want to plan our next trip to Tulela as soon as possible, and hope to be back soon.

The staff made us feel like celebrities. They met us with cool damp towels after each drive, had drinks ready, and seemed to know what we needed. The food was outstanding, and the chef even made a birthday cake at very short notice. When I ran out of contact solution, they picked some up next time they went to town, which is over an hour away. Everyone was so friendly that we all cried when we left. Tulela will stay in your heart. The safari drives were incredible. There are two each day, morning and evening, and the morning drive is worth getting up for since we saw most of the action then. We had Amarula and coffee in the bush in the morning and happy hour out there on the evening drive. Jordan was our guide and Tiyani our tracker, and they were a wonderful team. We saw four of the Big Five on one drive, then the fifth the next day. Jordan took us off road to get closer to the animals, and we watched four lionesses take down a 200lb warthog. The night drive was especially magical: Jordan positioned the truck so elephants passed close by, then switched off the engine and headlights. We sat quietly, listening to them eat and seeing their silhouettes under the stars. For a group of 10 or fewer, this private lodge is a real heaven on earth. It has five private hut-style rooms, spotless and comfortable with a semi-rustic but luxurious feel. I loved the outdoor shower, and each room backs onto a dry riverbed, so you can sit on the deck and watch wildlife just feet away. The lodge is beautiful and cozy, with a fireplace inside. The large deck has a fire pit, dining area, pool, and sunbathing space, all overlooking the riverbed and a watering hole. We saw elephants, water buffalo, a herd of impala, a warthog family, a hyena, and a Lilac Breasted Roller. The elephants even came right up to the pool where we were sitting and drank from it. In just a few days, we saw so much.

Werner and his spotter Andres helped us see incredible game. I felt safe and comfortable on the drives, and Werner's knowledge of the bush and enthusiasm for sharing it made them fun and engaging. The safari itself was worth five stars, and the lodge and staff were just as spectacular. Rika was attentive and made us feel so welcome, while Bernard's eye for detail and upbeat attitude rubbed off on everyone. Our rooms were fantastic and kept in great shape morning and evening. My family and I had an amazing time, one we'll remember.